Copyright: Vatican Media

Young Girl Spontaneously Leaves Crowd, & Joins Pope on Stage at General Audience

Francis Tells Security to Let Her Be, & Asked Faithful at Audience: ‘Did You Pray for Her?’

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At Pope Francis’ General Audience yesterday, a young girl ran from her mother in the crowds and joined Pope Francis on stage.
Suffering from an undisclosed illness, she walked back and forth in front of the Pope, stood by or in front of him at times, and would occasionally clap loudly.
The Holy Father told the security to let her be, that she was beautiful and suffering from an illness and wasn’t aware of what she was doing.
“This poor girl is a victim of an illness, and she does not know what she is doing,” the Holy Father said.
“I ask one thing, and everyone should respond in their own heart,” the Pope continued: “Did I pray for her when I saw her?”
“Did I pray so that the Lord heals her and protects her?”
“Did I pray for her parents and her family?”
“When we see a person who is suffering,” Pope Francis underscored, “we must pray. This situation should help us always ask this question.”
One can watch the Pope’s catechesis via this link from Vatican YouTube (from approximately minute 19:00, during the Pope’s catechesis).

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Deborah Castellano Lubov

Deborah Castellano Lubov is Senior Vatican & Rome Correspondent for ZENIT; author of 'The Other Francis' ('L'Altro Francesco') featuring interviews with those closest to the Pope and preface by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Parolin (currently published in 5 languages); Deborah is also NBC & MSNBC Vatican Analyst. She often covers the Pope's travels abroad, often from the Papal Flight (including for historic trips such as to Abu Dhabi and Japan & Thailand), and has also asked him questions on the return-flight press conference on behalf of the English-speaking press present. Lubov has done much TV & radio commentary, including for NBC, Sky, EWTN, BBC, Vatican Radio, AP, Reuters and more. She also has contributed to various books on the Pope and has written for various Catholic publications. For 'The Other Francis': http://www.gracewing.co.uk/page219.html or https://www.amazon.com/Other-Francis-Everything-They-about/dp/0852449348/

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